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BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

AGM, Fund Raisers, Minutes, News

Held at Holyoakes Field First School on Wednesday April 30th 2025 at 7 p.m.

In Attendance:
Committee: Julie Vincent, Sylvia Collinson, Stephen Siddle, Mark Whitworth, Mike Vincent
and Anil Jha.

Members: Dr Peter Merricks, Lynda Browne, Paul Smith, Donna Smith, Avril Rogers, Craig Sheldon, Ben Jones and Jonathan Brown.

Councillors: WCC Brandon Clayton, RBC Sachin Mathur & Wanda King

Guest of Honour MP for Redditch Chris Bloore

1.          APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from WCC Salman Akbar, RBC Joe Baker, Mrs Koser (Head Teacher HFFS).

PCSO Nina Moore and the Neighbourhood Police Team, Stuart Darn and Pamela Springer. Matt Collinson.

2.          ADOPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM:

The minutes of the last A.G.M. held on 27th November 2023, have been available on the Brockhill Residents’ Association Website for Members to read and were adopted forthwith.

3.          TREASURER’S REPORT:

This report includes the presentation and if approved, adoption of the accounts for the 12 months ending 28th February 2025.

Stephen Siddell provided the Members with a copy of the Income and Expenditure Account for the 12 months ending 28th February 2025. The Excess (Deficit) of income over Expenditure for the year was shown.

Association funds currently have a balance of £1,479.10, which is a combination of the General fund and the Wildlife Project fund, which has been shown separately on the accounts: General funds being £1,172.20 and Wildlife funds of £306.90.

There were no incomings to the general fund as we were unable to host a fund raiser.

Expenditure was as follows:

•            Room Hire £42

•            Web hosting £160.86

•            Wildlife Project £990.90

•            Bank Charges £4.25

•            Travel Costs £8.00

•            Travel Costs of £8.00 were incurred by the Signatories of the bank account travelling to Solihull to switch our bank account to Metro Bank following the decision by Lloyds Bank to switch us to a Community Account with a monthly fee of £4.25.  The switch to Metro Bank took effect in early March.

•            Since the end of the financial year, the WLP has raised a further £300 from a Garage Sale of surplus equipment, leaving it with total funds at present of £606.90.

•            The balance of general funds should see us remain solvent for the next few years, but we might want to consolidate the position with some fundraising activities in the near future.

The Accounts were received, adopted and approved by members.  

  1. UPDATE ON ISSUES AND EVENTS SINCE LAST AGM:
    Most of the issues that we come across are here on the new estate at Brockhill East and involve Persimmon Homes South, who have a separate Maintenance company called First Port, who Residents’ pay an annual fee, which is not capped and can increase each year.
    Our Committee Members attended two of the meetings which were held at Holyoakes Field First School and were hosted by RBC Joe Baker and RBC Lucy Harrison, in the Spring of 2024.
    The Property Manager of First Port Jean Brown, was in attendance to answer the questions raised by Residents’ living on Pointers Way and Meadow View estates. The Residents’ were understandably concerned with the rising annual cost for the maintenance and the fact that the work which should be covered by these costs, was not evident.
    There were complaints that the dog litter bins were not being emptied often enough, particularly the one near to the children’s playground by the School, which was becoming a health hazard.
    A second meeting was held and again, very well attended by Residents’. Jean Brown said that she would look into the possibility of those who wished to pay by Direct Debit, being able to spread the maintenance costs monthly to help with their budgets.
    A further meeting was to be arranged, but we were told that Jean Brown was not covered by her company’s insurance to be attending these evening meetings, so we’re not sure of the current situation. We have advised our Members’ to contact First Port themselves directly with any concerns. The new Property Manager’s name is Kiera Lowry whose e mail address is kiera.lowry@firstport.co.uk

The Committee attended a PACT meeting last Autumn, which was being held at the Redi Centre, for Central Redditch of which Batchley and Brockhill come under. None of our local Councillors were present and most of the concerns were about drug dealing in the Salop Road/Plymouth Road area, so we left early. It was just as well that not many of our Members’ had attended as we had sent them the details of the meeting!
We have continued to support our Committee Member Mark Whitworth, with the Wildlife Project which is situated on the Public Open Space in Appletree Lane. Mark and his team of volunteers who live in that area, are continuing to maintain the fruit trees and Native bulbs that have been planted and they are now hoping to raise around £1,500 for an information board, to show what has been achieved in the area. Mark and Shirley Jobson will be holding a Plant Sale in the area, on May 10th, in the hope of raising money towards this.
We have continued to grow the membership and now have over 600 members. We conduct leaflet drops to the new builds at East Brockhill and to houses that we see have new owners.
We reply to the e mails sent to us by Members who have concerns around the Brockhill Neighbourhood and if we can’t advise them ourselves, we contact our local Councillors for advice. The concerns are mainly about overgrown bushes or pot holes on the roads and general maintenance. We still have Public Open Spaces that have not been adopted, even after over twenty years, which makes it hard to know who to contact, whether it be Persimmon’s responsibility or RBC.

  1. DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING ONGOING ISSUES:

I) Persimmon Homes and section 106 monies/ Adoption by RBC of Roads and Public Open Spaces
II) First Port Maintenance charges at East Brockhill: annual increase in charges
III) School Traffic/Parking
IV) Right of way across the Red Ditch
V) Dog Litter Bins needing to be emptied more often on Pointers Way and Meadow View Estates
VI) Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park
VII) Anti-social behaviour issues in Brockhill Park to include speeding vehicles on nearby roads

i) Persimmon Homes and Section 106 monies/ Adoption by RBC of Roads and Public Open Spaces:
The Committee have been assisted by Dr Peter Merricks, our former Chairman and our MP for Redditch Chris Bloore, in continuing to chase RBC and Persimmon Homes South and North, to get the 106 monies paid and the adoption of all of the public Open Spaces that have still not been adopted in the older parts of Brockhill.
Peter and Chris had taken part in an online meeting with Russell Griffin from the planning and Legal Team at RBC and Lisa Webb, the Divisional Head of External Affairs at Persimmon Homes, on February 25th this year, following Chris Bloore having raised the matter in Parliament, of Persimmon’s incompetence. We had been informed by WCC Councillor Brandon Clayton last year, that the building plans for the Pointers Way estate, had not been followed, resulting in houses in Cookridge Close, being built with more land at the front of their premises than planned. Resident’s have received letters from Persimmon, asking for them to relinquish most of their front gardens!! The houses have been built for well over ten years now, so Residents’ are within their rights to refuse. The first houses built in Burrington Close were not built to plan either, but we cannot see how that can be changed now, after well over ten years.
This has all led to the problem of this area’s adoption.
Builders’ have been allowed to choose their own Building Inspectors according to WCC Brandon Clayton. MP Chris Bloore told us that legislation is in progress, for the Government to have future building plans Inspected independantly. We hope that the law will be passed soon, to stop this happening again.
We still have Public Open Spaces in the older parts of Brockhill that have not been adopted by RBC due to maintenance not being up to the required standard. RBC Sachin Mathur told us that he had spoken to Housing Officers and a Legal Officer at RBC, and had been told that progress was being made and that there were just four areas of concern, involving tree and bush maintenance, maintenance to a pathway and a leakage. He told us that he will monitor this and inform us when the work is done.

ii) First Port maintenance charges at East Brockhill/ Annual increase in charges:
First Port have been without a Property Manager for a while but we have been informed now, that a new Property Manager has been appointed named Kiera Lowry. We are not aware of any increase in charges this year, but we advise members to contact Kiera Lowry directly kiera.lowry@firstport.co.uk with any concerns.

iii) School Traffic/Parking:
JV sent an e mail to Mrs Koser, the Head Teacher of Holyoakes Field First School, inviting her to our A.G.M. As she was unable to attend, so I asked her if there was anything she would like me to raise at the meeting. She said “The only thing I would say is that the parking hasn’t really improved and we are worried that now we have two separate building sites/works going on either side of us for the foreseeable, parking will remain problematic.”
She is referring to the houses being built behind the School, so there are construction vehicles all around them now and of course this will remain well into the future, with Shops and a Medical Centre on the plans to be built nearby also.

iv) Right of way across the Red Ditch:
You may have read in previous committee meeting minutes on display on our website, about us trying to have a pathway and crossing made across the wasteland, which had been possible to cross in years gone by. We had a copy of an old map dating back to at least the 1940’s, which showed it as a right of way and we believe the farm workers used to use it.
If a properly constructed crossing and pathway could be made, this would enable some school children and their parents to walk to school, taking a short cut, thus relieving the school traffic. We had been waiting to find out who owns this land and it has now been established that it belongs to Persimmon. WCC BC said that we will have to wait for the land to be adopted, before the work can go ahead and that RBC will be happy to do this.

v) Dog Litter Bins needing to be emptied more often on Pointers Way and Meadow View Estate:
We were told by members attending the AGM who live in this area, that since a couple of larger bins were installed last year, the problems experienced previously, have been rectified.

vi) Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park:
We have been trying to get a safety barrier or crossing in this area for several years now, as we feel there needs to be something to slow children on Bicycles and Scooters down when approaching the busy Salters Lane which is on a bus route. Many residents’ walk with children through the park to the playground or the local shops and when crossing over to Oaktree Lane, the traffic comes quickly around a bend in the road, making it hard to judge whether it is safe to cross. SC said that she has witnessed several near misses, not only from children but also disabled older residents and those in wheelchairs. Several years ago we had a ‘Slow Down’ sign installed near the bend, but this spent more time down than up! We had it cemented in with a stronger concrete which has been successful, but we cannot proceed with the safety barrier until the pathway is adopted, which we hope will be this year.

vii) ASB Issues at Brockhill Park:
The two areas of concern in this area are the Underpass and the Basketball Court, where Teenagers tend to meet up. CCTV had been set up by the Basketball Court for a while but is only temporary. It is moved on to other troublesome areas when things settle down.
The Police have advised Residents’ to ring 101 to report any anti- social behaviour in this area. We have been told that the local Police team regularly patrol the area at night time.
Since the last AGM, we had experienced speeding cars on the nearby roads and this was reported at the time to our local Police Neighbourhood team. JV had also witnessed Quad Bikes driving on the pathway around Brockhill Park, causing pedestrians to jump out of the way. She reported this by ringing 101 and was later told by Councillor Joe Baker, that the offenders had been caught and reprimanded.

ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
In compliance with our Constitution, which states that two/three Committee Members must resign in order to recruit new Committee Members, Sylvia Collinson and Julie Vincent have resigned. Julie Vincent said that she would stand down as Secretary if anybody else wished to take the role over. We asked if anybody in the room would like to be elected, and two people have offered to join the Committee, Donna Smith and Jonathan Brown, so we will be arranging a meeting shortly to welcome them to the Committee and also to meet our two new WCC Councillors.
We would like to thank Ben Moseley for his great management of the Website this year and hope he will be able to continue to do so.
We also thanked WCC Brandon Clayton for all the help he has given us over many years.

A.O.B./ MEMBERS’ OPEN FORUM:
Donna and Paul Smith who were present at the AGM, told us of the fly tipping in Salters Lane. They said it was a real eyesore on their way to work each day. RBC Councillors Sachin Mathur and Wanda King said that they would report it and have it moved. Johnathan Brown asked how tenants were allowed to get away with this as many of the houses are owned by the Council and that they should be evicted if they don’t keep the area rubbish free. Of course, it is hard to prove who is dumping the rubbish and some houses are now private. If it continues, we will arrange to have CCTV installed.
Stuart Darn, who was unable to attend the meeting had reported to JV, that he is concerned about the loose manhole covers around Pointers Way/Meadow View estates. He was particularly concerned with one that was outside his house in Cookridge Close, and other members present at the meeting who live in the area, confirmed that there were many other loose covers. JV had reported this to Lisa Webb of Persimmon Homes South. The Closed Site Adoptions Manager Arnold Breslin, then contacted Stuart to inform him that the main spine road and all the closes off, were being inspected W/C 12/5/25 and loose manhole covers would be replaced.

The meeting ended at 8.30 p.m.

Committee meeting minutes from Monday October 21st 2024

Minutes

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Committee Meeting Monday October 21st 2024

Those Present:

Councillors:-  Brandon Clayton WCC

Guest Speaker: Dr. Peter Merricks

Committee:  

Stephen Siddle                        SS

Julie Vincent                            JV

Mike Vincent                           MV

Sylvia Collinson                       SC

Mark Whitworth                     MW

Anil Jha                                   AJ

The Agenda:

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. Actions arising from previous meeting on March 11th 2024
  3. Overdue 106 monies and Adoption of Public Open Spaces
  4. Cookridge Close Residents’ Front Garden reclaim
  5. Re-tarmacking of Grass Verges in Fairweather Close
  6. Do-nutting – Brockhill Drive being used as a racetrack
  7. Lack of Grass and Bush maintenance
  8. Treasurer’s report on current finances
  9. Resident engagement (Joe Baker’s monthly meetings
  10. First Port Meetings for Pointers Way & Meadow View
  11. A.O.B.
  1. Apologies:

Apologies were received from WCC Salman Akbar and RBC Joe Baker

2. Actions arising from previous meeting on March 11th 2024:

BC Arranged for the grit bin on the corner of Butlers Hill/Brockhill Lane to be re-positioned

Lucy Harrison (former RBC Councillor) sent the Committee details of the (then) current Neighbourhood Police Team

MW Applied to RBC for a grant to finance the Wildlife Project

3. Overdue 106 monies and Adoption of Public Open Spaces:

Our Guest Speaker, Dr Peter Merricks, who had set up Brockhill Residents’ Association and was our Chairman for several years, has retained his interest in the Adoption of the Public Open Spaces and Roads in Brockhill.  He expressed his frustration at the lack of effort that is given to this by our local Councillors, both past and present, and RBC Planning and Legal departments. He had given up his evening to ask our local Councillors why there was still a lack of action in obtaining the 106 monies from Persimmon Homes South, which are many years overdue. 

In 2018, PM sent an e mail to RBC legal team, to outline the legal procedures, to help them obtain the 106 monies from Persimmon Homes South and he also resent the e mail a few months ago to the present RBC leader, Joe Baker.  He did not receive a reply!  The three RBC local Councillors were invited to this Committee meeting, but did not attend.  JV rang to speak to Joe Baker, who told her that they were all at a meeting in Harrogate and that he had sent his apologies via a message on Messenger!!

4. Cookridge Close Residents’ Front Garden Reclaim:

We have been informed by Residents living in Cookridge Close, on the Pointers Way estate, that they have received letters from Persimmon Homes South, informing them that when their houses were built the boundaries to their properties did not comply with the plans for their construction.  Persimmon now wants to reclaim most of the frontage to the properties, which do not have much of a front garden anyway.  Many of these property owners have lived in their houses for over ten years and will have rights to compensation.  The roads will not be able to be adopted by RBC until the developer’s errors of construction have been put right.  Residents are advised to seek Legal advice.

5. Re-tarmacking of Grass Verges in Fairweather Close:

The Committee received an e mail from a member living in Fairweather Close, informing us that they had received a letter from First Port maintenance, informing them that the Grass Verges in their close were being replaced with tarmac, to save maintenance.  The member told us that they were not pleased at the prospect of having the grass taken away, as it helps to absorb the rain. 

6. Donutting – Brockhill Drive being used as a Racetrack:

MW raised the subject of speeding cars in Brockhill Drive and the noise of screeching tyres, mainly late at night, but also in the daytime hours.  WCC BC said that he would have temporary speed measuring strips installed in Brockhill Drive to determine how serious a matter this is, as the Police say that they are unable to monitor it due to its sporadic nature.

7. Lack of Grass and Bush Maintenance:

SC sent an e mail to RBC Wanda King several months ago, asking her why there are several areas of Brockhill that have not been maintained by the Ground Maintenance Contractors. 

The pathway leading from Appletree Lane to Carthorse Lane was very overgrown, with Brambles covering parts of the path, causing problems to pedestrians’ clothing, when trying to get past the overgrowth.  This area has now been cut back, but there are still other areas that have been reported that have not been attended to.  For the past two years, JV has had to report to Joe Baker the lack of maintenance to Brockhill Drive/Lily Green Lane junction at the traffic Island on the left- hand side, when approached from Bromsgrove Highway.  The pathway there is still covered in brambles, causing people to either walk in the road or get their clothes damaged.

8. Treasurer’s Report on current Finances:

The Accounts were circulated prior to the meeting.  They cover the period 1/3/24 to date with comparative figures for year ending 29/2/24.  As a brief summary:-

  • No incomings to date for the current financial year and none expected.

Expenditure to date:-

  •  Room hire £21.00 (there will also be a charge for this evening’s meeting)
  • Web hosting £160.86
  • Wildlife Project £751.85

This leaves a deficit to date of £933.71 and total funds of £1,751.44, split between general funds of £1,205.45 and WLP of £545.95.

WLP is being wound down, so its share of the funds is expected to be spent in the coming months.

The balance of general funds should see us remain solvent for the next few years, but we might want to consider some fundraising activities next year.

The A.G.M. will be held in the Spring 2025.

9. Resident Engagement (Joe Baker’s monthly meetings):

We continue to display the details of Joe Baker’s monthly meetings on our three notice boards dotted around Brockhill, Brockhill Park, Carthorse Lane and on the corner of Cookridge Close/Burrington Close.  Joe had asked JV to put this item on the Agenda of our meeting, to remind residents to attend if they have matters they would like to discuss with him and the other two local Councillors who attend.  The meetings are held on the last Friday of the month at 6pm at Batchley Community Hall.

10. First Port meetings for Pointers Way and Meadow View Residents’:

We had hoped to be able to ask Joe Baker when he would be holding the next First Port meeting at Holyoakes Field First School, but, as he was not in attendance, we could not.

JV will be e mailing Joe to ask him this and we will let members know by e mail, when the next meeting will be held.  This will most likely be in the new year now.

11. A.O.B.:

JV mentioned how e mails were received on our Admin e mail address from non- members who have concerns that they wish to be advised about.  Many Residents may think that they are members of the Association, simply because they can see our Facebook page, which is not the case.  We do not charge a fee to join, but we do require you to register your details on our website, as there is strength in numbers, which enables us to be able to achieve the needs of our community.

JV has been in touch with Simon Parry, who is the Assistant Director of Environment & Housing Property Services for RBC & BDC.  His details were given to her by Joe Baker, when she contacted him about the Street Lighting around the Park.  A Resident had contacted the Committee, as she was concerned that one of the Street Lights around the Park, near to one of the ponds, was not working.  Many of our members walk their dogs in this area and, with the darker nights approaching, this could become a Health and Safety issue.  Simon Parry has told JV that the Street Lighting is the responsibility of the Developer and that he wasn’t sure who that was! WCC BC has since sent JV a map of the area concerned, showing that it is Ideal Homes/Persimmon Homes North, who are responsible for the Street Lighting.  This information has been forwarded to Simon Parry and our local Councillors, so that they can contact the relevant person, but we are still waiting for the Street Light in question, to be repaired.

Conclusion

The committee was frustrated and concerned that it had not been possible to take forward several of the items on the agenda because no RBC councillors were present. It was agreed that JV should contact them to express those concerns, especially as they had all indicated that they would be attending.

Actions from this meeting:

BC to send us the new Police Neighbourhood team contact details.

JV to chase the Street Light repairs around Brockhill Park

JV to write to RBC Councillors about their failure to attend the meeting

The meeting ended at 8.30 p.m

Minutes of Committee Meeting Monday 11th March 2024

Minutes, News

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Committee Meeting Monday March 11th 2024

Those Present:

Councillors:- Lucy Harrison RBC, Joe Baker RBC, Brandon Clayton WCC, Kerrie Miles RBC

Committee:  

Stephen Siddle SS

Julie Vincent JV

Mike Vincent MV

Sylvia Collinson SC

Mark Whitworth MW

The Agenda:

  1. Apologies
  2. Actions arising from previous meeting on May 9th 2023
  3. First Port Maintenance Services
  4. Right of Way across the Red Ditch
  5. Flooding (Sink hole) by Subway to Brockhill Park
  6. Wildlife Project
  7. Barrier for Brockhill Park (Pathway leading into Salters Lane)
  8. A.O.B.
  1. Apologies:

Apologies were received from WCC Salman Akbar.

  1. Actions arising from previous meeting on May 9th 2023:

BC confirmed that the Nature Reserve/Red Ditch is still owned by Persimmon Homes.

LH has put in a request to First Port Maintenance Services for a larger Dog Litter Bin to be installed to replace the smaller, well used and overflowing existing bin.

JV arranged to borrow the Litter Pickers and bin bags from RBC Richard Adlington for the Litter Pick held on Saturday June 10th 2023.

  1. First Port Maintenance Services:

The meeting arranged by our local Councillors LH & JB at Holyoakes Field First School on Monday February 19th was well attended.  Committee members JV, MV & MW also attended, to meet with First Port’s Property Manager Jean Brown and a Maintenance worker.  Residents’ were able to voice their concerns regarding the uncapped service charges which they have to pay annually and which had risen by a significant amount.  Some Residents’ had refused to pay it and had been charged a late payment fee.  Jean Brown said that the service charges had risen due to the increase in the price of maintenance materials after the COVID Pandemic.  Residents’ complained about the lack of litter bin emptying, with dog excrement bags lying around on the ground near to the Childrens’ playground.  Jean Brown said that she was going to arrange to use a more reliable company to empty the bins.  We are still waiting to be told who she will be employing.  LH said that she will let the Committee know which company will be responsible for this as soon as she knows.

A second meeting has now been arranged by RBC’s LH & JB on Tuesday April 2nd at the School again, the time has yet to be confirmed but is likely to be early evening.  Jean Brown will be attending again to answer further questions.  The Councillors will be sending out flyers to the Residents’ of East Brockhill with the details.

  1. Right of Way across the Red Ditch:

Our efforts to create a pathway and stile across the Red Ditch to enable School Children and their Parents to walk to school by a safer and quicker route, thus relieving the traffic congestion at the school, have been thwarted.  The land still belongs to Persimmon so until the area is adopted by RBC, nothing can be done.  

  1. Flooding (Sink Hole) by Subway to Brockhill Park:

This area of Public Open Space, which floods several times a year, is again, still not adopted by RBC after more than twenty years.  RBC KM and her partner, attempted to divert the flood water into the nearby Brook, but it needs professional maintenance to be carried out. The flooding in this area increased after the Farmer who uses the field for his Sheep to graze, dug a trench in the field for rainwater to drain away, but this created a sink hole on the other side of the fence.  LH told us that the talks that RBC have had recently with Persimmon Homes, have been more positive towards adoption of the Public Open Spaces around this part of Brockhill.

  1. Wildlife Project:

MW will be applying for a grant from RBC this year, mainly to purchase a Notice Board to explain what has been planted on the Public Open Space in Appletree Lane, together with the Bat and Bird Boxes and the Bug House which he made to encourage Brockhill’s Wildlife. 

With the help of a few volunteers to the Wildlife Project, a Winter flowering Cherry Tree has recently been planted behind the Rockery.

  1. Barrier for Brockhill Park (Pathway leading into Salters Lane:

We have been trying to get a safer barrier at the end of the pathway leading into Salters Lane for several years now.  We had hoped to have a crossing installed also, to make it safer for children crossing over to reach the playground in Oak Tree Avenue.  We have again, come to a standstill, as the paths have not been adopted by RBC. 

  1. A.O.B.:

SC told us that the Grit Bin on the corner of Butlers Hill Lane/Brockhill Lane had slipped forward and was blocking the pathway.  BC said he would have it looked at.

JV informed the Committee that we’ve had 12 new members register in the last month.  She has taken over the monitoring of the Membership list and sending out the ‘Welcome’ e mails to the new members.

Actions from this meeting:

LH to send us the new Police team contact details.

BC to arrange for the Grit Bin in Butlers Hill Lane to be put back in place.

MW to apply for a Grant rom RBC for the Wildlife Project.

The meeting ended at 8.30 p.m. 

A.G.M. 2023 Minutes

AGM, Minutes, News

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

Held at Batchley Community Centre on Monday November 27th 2023

In Attendance:

Committee: Julie Vincent (JV), Sylvia Collinson (SC), Stephen Siddle (SS), Mark Whitworth (MW) and Mike Vincent (MV).

Members: David Dallaway, Lynn Dallaway, Maureen Mole, Steve Mole, Claire Ivins, Sue Merry, Bob Merry and Lynda Browne.

Councillors: WCC Brandon Clayton (BC) & RBC Lucy Harrison (LH)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from WCC Salman Akbar, RBC Joe Baker, RBC Kerrie Miles, Peter Merricks, Anil Jha, Mike Long and Mrs Koser (Head Teacher HFFS).

ADOPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM:

The minutes of the last A.G.M. held on 21st November 2022 have been available on the Brockhill Residents’ Association Website for Members to read and were adopted forthwith.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

This report includes the presentation and, if approved, adoption of the accounts for the 12 months ending 28th February 2023.

SS provided the Members with a copy of the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the 12 months ending 28th February 2023, which showed an excess of expenditure over income for the year of £132.00, leaving us with total funds of £1,630.69 at the end of the financial year.

He reported that he had presented the figures in a slightly different way this year in order to separate the income and expenditure of the Wildlife Project (WLP) from our General Funds.  This is because it is necessary to recognise that income that is received specifically for the WLP is not available for general spending.

He also provided a copy of the interim accounts for the current year, showing the financial position as at 24 November 2023, being a surplus of income over expenditure of £899.71 and total funds of £2,530.32 (consisting of General Funds of £1,392.52 and WLP Funds of £1,137.80).

Both sets of accounts can be viewed via these links: 2022-23 accounts and 2023-24 interim accounts

Commenting on the results for both years, he explained that there had been no general fundraising in 2022/23, because of the lack of support for the proposed Skittles Evening, which had been aborted after incurring expenses of £29.95. In contrast to this, last month’s Quiz Night had raised £363.20, which is needed to cover this year’s administrative costs of (to date) £220.86.

Turning to the WLP, he explained that Grants had come from our Councillors and were supplemented by plant sales and by donations, for the purchase of cherry trees, from Residents and from Persimmon.  MW then gave an update on the progress that has been made by the WLP and what was hoped to be achieved by the planting of the cherry trees.

We thanked WCC BC, who had contributed to our funds earlier this year from his discretionary fund.

The 2022-23 accounts were then approved and adopted by members.    

UPDATE ON ISSUES AND EVENTS SINCE LAST AGM  

JV reported that we were invited to hold our committee meeting at Holyoake Field First School by the Head Teacher Mrs Koser in the early evening time.  Mrs Koser also attended the meeting on May 9th, as there were matters concerning the school, listed on the agenda.  After the meeting, Mrs Koser invited us to a tour of the school, which we arranged for June 16th.  Mrs Koser led us around the school, showing us the classrooms, the library and other communal areas and also the playground.  She showed us a war memorial which has been brought from the old school and placed outside in a prominent position.  Mrs Koser is a keen Historian, which will be of great benefit to the children.

On Saturday May 13th, we held a Plant sale on the Public Open Space in Appletree Lane in aid of the Wildlife Project.  It was very well attended by Residents and our local Councillors.

We held a Litter Pick on June 10th this year. It was not very well attended by members, but the Committee and Councillors, along with a few members and their dogs, enjoyed the sunny weather and exercise.  Fourteen bags of rubbish were collected from Brockhill Park and Burrington Close.  LH and JV met up afterwards to walk around Brockhill East to see if the litter bins placed around the area had been emptied, as there had been a few reports from Residents that some of them were over filled.  The bins had been emptied at that time, but we have now concluded that although there are several small bins near to the playground area, what we really need, to prevent constant overspill, are the larger black type. Lucy said that she will contact RBC Environmental department, to order these

On August Bank Holiday weekend, the Committee took part in the Summer Fete organised by RBC Joe Baker. It was held on the Public Open Space in Burrington Close, East Brockhill.  We met several new residents who had moved to East Brockhill in the last year and we promoted the membership.  We joined in with the fun and games, which were the usual sports day type of games:  MV had made a ‘Splat the Rat’ game, which raised a small amount of money for our funds – ‘Every little helps!’

It was after this event, that we decided that it would be good to have a banner for B.R.A. to display when we hold events, which we have now purchased.

On Saturday October 16th, we held a Quiz Night, our first fundraising event in three years, as the Skittles Night that we arranged for last Autumn was cancelled due to lack of interest. The Quiz Night, however, was extremely well attended, and the money raised from it should cover our running costs for the next year.

We continue to reply to members who contact us via the committee’s admin e mail address with any problems in the neighbourhood and, if necessary, report matters to our local Councillors for advice.

SC runs our Facebook Administration and posts items of interest to the community, mainly items such as car and house theft, which will then act as a warning for Residents to be more vigilant.  She also displays posters of lost pets.

Lately, some of the bushes in our area, have been missed off the maintenance programme and have been growing over pathways, to such a degree that two thirds of a path had been covered by brambles.  We brought it to the attention of our local Councillors, who have been able to arrange for them to be cut back and put on the list to be included on the maintenance list for next year, hopefully!

DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING ONGOING ISSUES:

  1. Persimmon Homes and section 106 monies
  2. Traffic calming measures in Burrington Close/Hawling Street
  3. School Traffic/Parking
  4. Right of way across the Red Ditch
  5. More Dog Litter bins for Meadow View Estate
  6. Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park
  7. Anti-social behaviour issues in Brockhill Park
  1. Persimmon Homes and Section 106 monies:

Lucy Harrison has spoken to a Persimmon Surveyor who has told her that the land boundaries around Brockhill need to be surveyed and agreed again.  Some land at the back of a few houses in Carthorse Lane was sold off to house owners by Persimmon but it has now been established that the land was not owned by Persimmon, so was not theirs to sell! When the land boundaries have been agreed, the 106 monies should be paid to RBC.

2.Traffic calming measures in Burrington Close/Hawling Street:

Residents of East Brockhill have been complaining about speeding traffic on several roads and closes in the area, but particularly on the main spine road and on the school route.

This is naturally of great concern, with school children travelling on foot and by car every weekday.  Redditch Skip company had also been reported for speeding in Burrington/Hawling Street, since the speed bumps have been taken out.  Our local Councillors have been in touch with the Skip company and Residents are advised to take photographs of the registration numbers on the vehicles if it continues to happen.   Persimmon have erected a 20mph sign as it is a private road until it is adopted, when it will become 30mph, as are all residential roads.  When Weights Lane is reopened, there will be another way out of the estate, which we are hoping will relieve the situation.

3. School Traffic/Parking:

When the new School first opened in September 2022, the School traffic was made worse by the bad timing of Severn Trent Water who decided this would be a good time to repair the water meter in Burrington Close, near to the junction of Cookridge Lane, which is the main route up to the School.  Temporary traffic lights were installed, which caused more havoc as the lane isn’t very wide and vehicles which had taken children to school were trying to turn around.

The situation was eased somewhat, when Severn Trent’s work was completed, but there is still a problem on the school route at the drop off and pick up times, as with many schools, but as there is only one way in and out of the housing estate at present, this has made matters worse.  We are hoping that the opening of Weights Lane will ease the situation.

The Head Teacher, Mrs Koser, said that the school is still receiving the odd complaints from Residents regarding the parking but she feels that the barrier, which is used at the end of the school day, is certainly helping with the safety of the children leaving the school site.

4. Right of way across the Red Ditch:

You may have read in previous committee meeting minutes on display on our website, about us trying to have a pathway and crossing made across the wasteland, which had been possible to cross in years gone by.  We had a copy of an old map dating back to at least the 1940’s, which showed it as a right of way and we believe the farm workers used to use it.

If a properly constructed crossing and pathway could be made, this would enable some school children and their parents to walk to school, taking a short cut, thus relieving the school traffic.  We have been waiting to find out who owns this land and it has now been established that it belongs to Persimmon.  WCC BC said that we will have to wait for the land to be adopted, before the work can go ahead, and that RBC will be happy to do this.

5. More Dog Litter Bins for Meadow View Estate:

The current litter bins near to the Playground on the Meadow View Estate are the smaller variety and even though there are several in that area, there are some used more than others.  As they are so small, they soon fill up and as they are not emptied often, the poo bags end up being left at the base.  This is an environmental hazard, with the children’s playground being so near, so we have asked for the larger black metal bins to replace them.

RBC LH said that she would order the replacements straightaway.  There have also been complaints by residents about the lack of maintenance from First Port generally and in particular to the wooden steps leading up to the playground which have cheap wood supports and exposed nails.

6. Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park:

We have been trying to get a safer barrier or crossing in this area for several years now, as we feel there needs to be something to slow children on Bicycles and Scooters down when approaching the busy Salters Lane, which is on a bus route.  Many residents walk with children through the park to the playground or the local shops and when crossing over to Oaktree Lane, the traffic comes quickly around a bend in the road, making it hard to judge whether it is safe to cross.  SC said that she has witnessed several near misses, not only from children but also disabled older residents and those in wheelchairs.  WCC BC said that he will find out from previous WCC’s Robin Lunn and Graham Vickery about how far they had got with a solution when they were working on this several years ago, as for some reason nothing has been resolved, other than a speed monitor and a ‘Slow Down’ sign being installed.

7. ASB Issues at Brockhill Park:

The two areas of concern in this area are the Underpass and the Basketball Court, where Teenagers tend to meet up.  CCTV had been set up by the Basketball Court for a while but is only temporary.  It is moved on to other troublesome areas when things settle down. There are always more reports of ASB in the warmer weather so there haven’t been many instances reported of late.  The walls of the Underpass haven’t been defaced as much lately.  The Police have advised Residents to ring 101 to report any anti- social behaviour in this area. We have been told that the local Police team regularly patrol the area at night time.

ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

In compliance with our Constitution, which states that two/three Committee Members must resign each year in order to recruit new Committee Members, Sylvia Collinson and Julie Vincent both resigned from the Committee, but agreed to continue when no-one else came forward to replace them. 

We are still seeking a new Chairman, as the person whose name was put forward at last year’s AGM has been unable to help us at all this year, due to work commitments. JV also said that she wished to stand down as Secretary, so we are still seeking a new Chair Person and a Secretary.  No volunteers came forward, so Julie agreed to stay on until a replacement is found.

The Committee thanked Ben Moseley for his great management of the Website this year and hope he will be able to continue to do so.

A.O.B./ MEMBERS’ OPEN FORUM:

MW said that he had witnessed drug dealing in Appletree Lane on the Car Park area near to the Public Open Space and Dairy Lane.  He asked if CCTV could be installed there and signage to make everyone aware.  LH said that she will speak to the Community Safety Officer and asked Mark to e mail her all of the details to strengthen the case.

Stephen Mole asked what would happen to the old Barn when the 17 new houses were built near to the school.  The Barn, which is derelict, was originally going to be converted into a bungalow. It has become a meeting place for young people, but is unsafe.  The owners we believe, live abroad and have not claimed responsibility for it.  We will try to find out more in the new year.

BC told us that when Persimmon submitted the plans for the building of houses at East Brockhill in the 1990’s, the development was split into phases and the plans seemed fine.  Unfortunately, the plans weren’t followed in the right order, which is why we have the problems we are faced with today.

The meeting ended at 9.30 p.m.

Quiz Night Success!

Events, Fund Raisers, News

The Quiz Night held on Saturday October 14th at Batchley Community Centre was very well attended.

It was great to get the Community together again after three years apart due to the COVID Pandemic.

Our three local Councillors were present; Lucy Harrison, Joe Baker and Kerrie Miles and donations to the Raffle Prizes from members and local businesses namely: Tesco’s local, The Blakemore Foundation (SPA), Golden Carp and Wel Gel Sweets, were very much appreciated.

Funds raised will go towards our annual running costs.